Monroe officials learn about mental health program for children

July 21--Josh Presto seemed to have it all, coming from a respectable family, excelling in academics and sports at Nazareth High School.

It wasn't until college when he told anyone he'd been suffering from anxiety, for which he was prescribed Xanax. After a friend found him affected by alcohol and too many Xanax pills at a party one night, he was taken to the hospital, where he told doctors he felt like a failure.

He began using heroin in 2013, leading others to believe he had a drug problem when he was actually self-medicating for a mental health problem. He died from an overdose in February 2014, while still in college.

"Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24 in the U.S.," said his father, Jim Presto, quoting statistics at a Tuesday gathering of about 35 local government, law enforcement and school district officials and mental health professionals in Stroudsburg.

"More than 80 percent of suicide victims were diagnosed with mental health problems that were treatable, but the social stigma surrounding these problems keeps children and adults alike too scared to come forward and suffering in silence until it's too late," Presto said, expressing regret at being unable to recognize his son's true problem and get proper help.

Tuesday's gathering was hosted by the Monroe County Children's Roundtable, a partnership of law enforcement, school districts and various agencies, organized by County Court Judge Jon Mark and others to ensure the well-being of children in troubled situations.

Presto introduced Aevidum, a program started in 2004 by Lancaster County school district students after one of their classmates committed suicide. It was inspired in part by Philadelphia mental health expert Matthew Wintersteen's definition of what a healthy school environment should be, said Presto, who became an Aevidum advocate after his son's death.

Taking its name from a Latin term meaning "I've got your back," Aevidum works "to create positive mental health environments where all students feel accepted, appreciated, acknowledged and cared for in schools and communities across the nation," according to its website. "The Aevidum message is delivered creatively through a series of student-generated materials, interactive displays, high-energy assemblies, community events, music, art work, stories and public service announcements.

"At the core of Aevidum is an educational philosophy that empowers students to take responsibility to make a difference," the program's mission states. "Aevidum students are encouraged to use their gifts and talents and to recognize the gifts and talents of their peers to create cultures of care in advocacy in their schools and communities."

The process starts with "The Talk," a workshop, led by an Aevidum member in a "neutral" meeting area away from school, said Presto.

Students are transported to that neutral meeting area and split up into groups, where they talk to each other about how students and adults can work together to create a mentally healthier environment for all. The workshop concludes with each group sharing its ideas with the rest.

Presto expressed interest in presenting the idea to Monroe County's school districts.

"Having a mental health problem, like depression which can lead to suicide, has been described as being trapped in a dark room you can't see beyond," he said. "Aevidum is a light bringing hope and a way out of that dark room."

Monroe County Commissioner Suzanne McCool agrees with the idea.

"Our children do need to feel accepted, appreciated, acknowledged and cared for, especially these days when student populations have grown larger and more challenging to manage," McCool said. "We could use a program like this."

More information is available at http://aevidum.com/index.html.

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